Public pessimistic on economy

Confidence in the economy decreased slightly last week, according to new data from Gallup.

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Gallup's economic confidence index has been rather consistent this year, with people in the U.S. somewhat negative about conditions for all of 2014.

But the index, which dropped 2 points to -17 for the week ending Aug. 10, has had more pronounced swings in recent weeks. It took a 6-point dive in late July, down to -21, before bouncing back to -15.

Other pollsters have also found voters dissatisfied with the economy, as well as the performance of President Obama and the general direction of the country. A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll from last week found that more than 60 percent of adults were dissatisfied with the state of the economy, though roughly half said they thought the economy was improving.